Federal Aviation Administration October 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. Certain organizations may apply to perform certification functions on behalf of the FAA. The information is collected from holders of FAA production approvals and selected suppliers to obtain their input on how well the agency is performing the administration and conduct of the Aircraft Certification Systems Evaluation Program (ACSEP).

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the sale of the airport property. The proposal consists of the sale of vacant, much of which is farmed or vacant land, containing trees, streams, and scattered wetland areas owned by the City of Mansfield. The Miller Farm Parcel 50 is approximately 100.521 acres. The land was acquired under FAA Project No(s) AIP-90-2-3-39-0049 0991 (Contract No. AIP FA91-GL-l806). There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. The proposed land for release is vacant, not required for future development, safety, or compatible land use. The intended land use is infrastructure development, including roads, utilities, and industrial development. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the disposal of the subject airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. The disposition of proceeds from the disposal of the airport property will be in accordance with FAA's Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, published in the Federal Register on February 16, 1999. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain BEECH Model 400, 400A, and MU- 300-10 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires installation of an improved adjustment mechanism on the flightcrew seats and replacement of the existing aluminum seat reinforcement assemblies with steel assemblies. This proposed AD would add airplanes to the applicability of the existing AD. This proposed AD results from reports of incomplete latching of the existing adjustment mechanism and cracked reinforcement assemblies, which could result in sudden shifting of a flightcrew seat. We are proposing this AD to prevent sudden shifting of a flightcrew seat, which could impair the flightcrew's ability to control the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying the wire installation of the auxiliary hydraulic pump in the right wheel well of the main landing gear (MLG). This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent a tire burst when the MLG is in the retracted position from causing damage to the wire assembly of the auxiliary hydraulic pump and subsequent electrical arcing, creating the potential of an ignition source in the center wing tank, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. The information kept is used by the FAA as proof that non-Federal navigation facilities are maintained within certain specified tolerances.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. This collection is necessary in order to determine applicants' qualifications for certification as an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on June 19, 2008, vol. 73, no. 119, page 34975. This information is used by FAA for safety assessment, planning, forecasting, cost/benefit analysis, and to target areas for research.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on June 19, 2008, vol. 73, no. 119, page 34976. The information is required to carry out FAA missions related to the aviation industry, flight planning, and airport engineering.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure map for Providence-T.F. Green Airport, as submitted by the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) under the provisions of Title I of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-193) and 14 CFR Part 150, are in compliance with applicable requirements.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by the aviation authority of France to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The aviation authority of France, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI: ``This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued following two cases of LH hydraulic power system loss on two AS332 helicopters. In both cases, the pilot received the ``low level'' hydraulic failure alarm. The investigations conducted on the two helicopters revealed a hydraulic fluid leak from the hydraulic pump casing. In both cases, incorrect position of the liner of the compensating piston had caused the seals to deteriorate. This incorrect positioning of the liner is due to non- compliant application of the repair process by a repair station. Deterioration of hydraulic pumps causes: The loss of the RH and LH hydraulic power systems in the event of a substantial hydraulic fluid leak from both hydraulic pumps during a given flight. The loss of the hydraulic system concerned, in the event of a substantial hydraulic fluid leak from only one pump.'' This AD requires actions that are intended to address this unsafe condition.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Government/Industry Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, - 800, and -900 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires reviewing the airplane maintenance records to determine whether an engine has been removed from the airplane since the airplane was manufactured. For airplanes on which an engine has been removed, the existing AD also requires an inspection of the aft engine mount to determine if the center link assembly is correctly installed, and follow-on actions if necessary. This proposed AD would require the same actions for airplanes on which the engine has not been previously removed. This proposed AD results from reports indicating that operators found that the center link assembly for the aft engine mount was reversed on several airplanes that had not had an engine removed since delivery. We are proposing this AD to prevent increased structural loads on the aft engine mount, which could result in failure of the aft engine mount and consequent separation of the engine from the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspections for cracking of the left- and right-side shear ties and web posts of the kickload beam and the adjacent structure in the vertical stabilizer, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of cracking of the left- and right-side web posts and shear ties of the kickload beam. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the left- and right-side web posts and shear ties of the kickload beam, which, when coupled with failures in the adjacent structure, could result in structural failure of the vertical stabilizer, and loss of control of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This action proposes to amend Class D and E airspace at Bethel, AK. The Airport and Navigation Aids will be soon undergoing a magnetic variation change. This change will result in the necessity to revise the airspace descriptions. Additionally, the present 1,200 foot airspace is no longer necessary, because Bethel lies within a larger section of controlled airspace called the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Class E airspace covering the area required for the airport. Adoption of this proposal would result in amendment of existing Class D and E airspace upward from the surface, and from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, AK.

The FAA is amending its regulations concerning the use of instrument flight rule (IFR) altitudes. Specifically, a duplicate coordinate in the description of the Eastern United States Mountainous Area is being removed.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

The rule adopts several standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and requires manufacturers to incorporate certain security features in the design of new transport category airplanes. Specifically, manufacturers of affected airplanes must design flightdecks that are protected from penetration by projectiles and intrusion by unauthorized persons. The flightdeck, passenger cabin, and cargo compartments of these aircraft must be protected from the effects of detonation of an explosive or incendiary device. The rule also requires that manufacturers of new transport category airplanes design a ``least risk bomb location'' and that operators of certain existing airplanes designate such a location.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain GE CT58 series turboshaft engines. This AD requires recalculating the lives of certain part numbered compressor spools using a new repetitive heavy lift (RHL) multiplying factor. This AD results from reports of cracks originating from the inner faces of the locking screw holes in the compressor spool. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracks due to RHL missions. Cracks could result in an uncontained rotor burst and damage to, or loss of, the helicopter and serious injuries to any person onboard.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Maryland Air Industries, Inc., Model Fairchild F-27 and FH-227 Series Airplanes. This AD requires operators to modify their airplanes and revise their inspection or maintenance programs to incorporate instructions for maintenance and inspection of the fuel tank systems, as appropriate, by December 16, 2008, using information developed in accordance with Special Federal Aviation Regulation 88 (SFAR 88). This AD results from fuel system safety reviews done on similar airplane models in accordance with SFAR 88. These safety reviews identified potential unsafe conditions on Model Fairchild F-27 and FH-227 series airplanes for which the type certificate holder, Maryland Air Industries, Inc., has not conducted SFAR 88 safety reviews, has not provided corrective actions, and does not plan to do so. We are issuing this AD to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) Model 390 airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect hydraulic pump pressure output hose assemblies to determine if they are from the affected lots, inspect for hydraulic fluid leaks if the hose assemblies are from the affected lots, and replace all affected hose assemblies. This AD results from reports of hydraulic leaks from the hydraulic pump pressure output hose assemblies. We are issuing this AD to prevent leakage of hydraulic fluid from the pump output hose within the engine compartment, which could result in an in-flight fire.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces that it is reviewing a proposed amendment to the Noise Compatibility Program that was submitted for Gulfport Biloxi International Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47504 et seq. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR Part 150 by the Gulfport Biloxi Regional Airport Authority. This program was submitted subsequent to a determination by FAA that the associated Noise Exposure Maps submitted under 14 CFR Part 150 for Gulfport Biloxi International Airport were in compliance with applicable requirements effective February 26, 2004, and was published in the Federal Register on March 5, 2004. The proposed amendment to the Noise Compatibility Program will be approved or disapproved on or before April 16, 2009.